An Obuasi Magistrate court on Friday sentenced Samuel Owusu Ansah, a 23-year-old man, to a fine of GH¢500 or in default spend two months in prison with hard labour for attempting to steal. Owusu Ansah an herbalist attempted to fraudulently withdraw an amount or GH¢30,000 from a microfinance company in the municipality on August 16, 2012. The court presided over by Francis Gbadey, sentenced him to a fine of GH¢500 or in default spend 24 months in prison. Presenting the facts of the case to the court, DSP Yaw Obeng Asubonteng informed the court that the complainant is the branch manager or Obotantim Microfinance Company while the convict is an herbalist. According to prosecution, the convict who was in the possession of a pass book belonging to the bank and bearing the name Zinabu Ali Iddrisu, went to the bank to cash an amount of GH¢30, 000. DSP Asubonteng said Owusu Ansah told staff of the bank that the holder of the pass book was his daughter. He said the convict told the staff that his daughter had instructed him to cash the amount because she wanted to travel to the north. Prosecution said bank workers became suspicious and asked Samuel Owusu Ansah to report to the bank the next day for payment to be effected. In order to authenticate his claim, the bank also requested the convict to furnish them with either Zinabu’s birth certificate or her National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) card but he could not produce any of the two. DSP Asubonteng stated that the bank subsequently asked the convict to produce two passport size photographs which he complied without delay. He was arrested three days later at the banking hall of the financial institution by the police. Prosecution indicated that the convict admitted the crime during police interrogation and mentioned Leticia Adu, a former worker of the company as the brain behind the plot. He was charged and arraigned thereof, the police prosecutor said.